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Learn the Difference
Always Clean Before you Disinfect
It is critical to clean or eliminate any visible dirt before disinfection. Cleaning removes loose dirt, preparing the surface or item to be disinfected.
Disinfecting eliminates bacteria on the surface, stopping their spread. If a surface is not cleaned initially, bacteria could remain behind soils and reduce the efficacy of the disinfectant.
What is Disinfecting?
Disinfecting kills germs. Disinfectants do not clean soils from surfaces. Surface soils are not removed by disinfectants. Because cleaning chemicals cannot penetrate dirt on surfaces, disinfectants must be employed after cleaning agents.
Pro Tip: If you use a disinfectant for clearing soils like a soda spill or residual food stains, the soils will not be efficiently removed.Attempting to clean with a disinfectant will result in a sticky and odorous surface once the disinfectant dries.
Most disinfectants use quaternary ammonium chloride (QUATS), peroxide (Hydrogen-Peroxide based), or hypochlorite (bleach-based) to destroy bacteria. Each disinfectant has its own set of perks and cons.
A study discovered that bacteria levels in vehicles are greater than in the ordinary toilet
According to a study conducted by Aston University academics in the College of Health and Life Sciences, commissioned by Scrap Car Comparison, the inside of our vehicles contains significantly greater levels of bacteria than the average toilet.
The researchers collected samples from car interiors with varying ownership histories in order to determine bacterial contamination levels within the vehicles and to emphasize how well individuals clean their automobiles. The findings suggested that drivers should clean the inside of their vehicles more often, as hazardous germs are likely to be found in the majority of vehicles on the road today.
The discoveries, more popularly known as fecal bacteria, are clearly concerning for anyone who leaves their fruit and veggies in the trunk after a trip to the supermarket or eats a drive-thru supper in the driver's seat. "The results of this study are fascinating," said Dr Jonathan Cox, a senior lecturer in microbiology at Aston University. "They help to show that, despite cleaning our cars, the older they are, the dirtier they generally are."
This becomes important when considering areas such as the car boot or driver's seat. Many of us have stuffed loose food into our boots or dropped a crisp upon our seat before picking it up and eaten it.
Other places studied were the gearstick, dashboard, and backseat, all of which had greater levels of bacterial contamination than a typical residential toilet. Pseudomonas, a bacterium with strains that are resistant to medicines, and Staph Aureus, a germ associated with coughs and sneezes that has been related to MRSA in some cases, were among the bacteria discovered.
A correlation was also observed between the age of a vehicle and the quantities of germs that are likely to be detected within it. The bacteria in older automobiles examined for the research were greater than in vehicles that had been on the road for a shorter period of time.
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Car Interior
The first thing to keep in mind is that cleaning and disinfecting are two separate steps. The region has to be cleansed first before disinfection. Cleaning is the process of sanitizing a surface. In order for disinfectants (used in the second step) to effectively combat surface germs, debris, stains, and other filth must be removed. Using chemicals to break down and eradicate germs on a surface is referred to as disinfecting.
At the Quick Shine, we recommend to never use ammonia-based cleaning products or disinfectants, especially ones that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide. The majority of vehicle interiors are made of vinyl and plastic, which they can harm. The CDC advises using gloves, leaving windows and doors open to allow for air, and putting on any personal protection equipment that the product's maker may advise.
Many cleaning products are either too harsh or too liquid to be used on your car's digital touchscreens, GPS, or other electronics. An alternative is frequently advised: a disinfecting wipe. For usage on your car's systems, you may even search for wipes similar to those you would use on your cell phone.
Now while we recommend disinfecting your car frequently, we recognize that many people either lack the time or have reason to be extra cautious about the cleanliness of your vehicle? Let the Quick Shine assist you saving you time and energy.